News From Nowhere // News From Neverland

On the eve of Financial Fools’ Day:

an idiotorial in The Australian argues that “Globalisation has done more to end poverty than socialism” (A Neverland protest, March 31, 2009);
‘G20 ‘terrorist plot’ uncovered by police’ (Duncan Gardham, and Richard Savill, Daily Telegraph, March 30, 2009);*
a suit has a message for wowdy webels: “Graham Williams, an insurance company director, has a warning for protesters planning to bring London’s financial district to a standstill this week: ‘We’re not all pansies’.” (Kevin Crowley, No ‘Pansies’ in London as City Boys Brace for G-20 Protesters, Bloomberg, March 30, 2009);
outspoken crackademic Brian Knight has been given the arse by his employer (The University of East London) and the University has apparently cancelled the Alternative G20 conference scheduled for this week;
the Financial Times has brought out a VERY special edition;
anarchists have rallied in London [video].

Finally:

European anarchists ‘to invade London’ for G20 violence
Mick Armstrong
Metro
March 30, 2009

Thousands of hardcore anarchists and activists from across Europe are set to come together in London today it has been reported, as fears grow that protests over the G20 summit will erupt into violence.

Security forces have identified notorious groups from France, Germany and Italy whose members are mobilising more supporters in a bid to create chaos on the streets of the capital as the world’s leaders meet.

Many of the agitators are arriving today after a week of anarchist strikes in Italy, according to the Evening Standard.

French police are warning their British counterparts that at least 1,000 activists are on their way to London, with members of the Anarch-Autonomist [sic] being particularly active in their preparations, according to reports.

From Germany three groups are expected to make the journey, including ANTIFA [sic] – an anti-fascist group.

And in Italy the Guerrigilieri Anomali (Anomalous Warriors) are planning to target symbols of wealth in London.

The Met police was also warning that groups associated with the Poll Tax riots of 1990 were reforming to create a new wave of carnage.

An anarchist group has already taken over a disused pub in East London as an HQ, according to the Standard.

The Convergence Crew appear to have chosen the former pub in Shoreditch because of its proximity to the City, which is likely to be the focal point for demonstrations on Wednesday of this week.

Buildings in London have already been boarded up and debris cleared from street works and building sites to minimise the potential for damage.

See also : March 25: The day the world changed (March 27, 2009) | G20 : Inner City Pressure + Global Economic Crisis = Anarchy in London (March 25, 2009) | G20 : London’s Burning! (March 18, 2009) | 40 New Zealand anarchists still at large; London and Berlin tremble (March 1, 2009) | Davos 2009 : Capitalism in Crisis (February 1, 2009) | Meanwhile, in Europe, ¡anarcholocos! (December 12, 2008)

*Terror probe uncovers ‘fake guns’, “An imitation Kalashnikov rifle and fireworks have been seized by police investigating alleged terrorism in connection with the G20 summit. Three men aged 25, 19 and 16 and two women of 20, from the Plymouth area in Devon, were held after the 25 year old was seen allegedly spraying graffiti. A number of imitation weapons were seized in searches of several premises. Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton said the weapons were “not major” and “probably not even lethal”… (BBC, March 30, 2009).

News From Nowhere
or An Epoch of Rest
Being Some Chapters From a Utopian Romance
by William Morris
(1890)

Bonus!